Whitehawk whallop Bridges

Bridges fell to a disappointing defeat to the hands of Whitehawk on Bank Holiday. The home side rarely got out of second gear for the majority of the game with Bridges struggling to put together any passages of play for large parts.

Whitehawk started the brighter and were two goals ahead within the first 15 minutes. First Will Miles headed in from a corner, followed by Joe Shelley sending Mitch Bromage the wrong way from the penalty spot after the other Bromage, Tad, was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.

The game was then stopped for a long period after Kevin Rivera sustained a nasty head injury in a collision. Bridges physio Tracey Weller and those from Whitehawk’s medical and ground teams were quick to deal with the matter and I’m pleased to say that Rivera was up and talking within the crowd during the second-half.

That stoppage did cool things down within the game as neither side really created anything for a while, until an incident packed injury time at the end of the first-half.

Noel Leighton was sent-off just as the clock entered the 45th minute for a late challenge on Joel Daly. It seemed that a yellow would suffice, but after consulting with this linesman the referee produced a red and Bridges afternoon had gone from bad to worse.

The player on the receiving end of that tackle then took revenge, taking on several players in midfield before unleashing a 30-yard screamer that Bromage had no chance of reaching. 3-0 to the home side at the break.

Jamie Crellin made changes at the start of the second-half, with Donaghey and Wilson replacing Irving and Barbary. Bridges seemed more settled and it seemed that damage limitation was in order.

The home side still created chances, with O’Toole coming close on a couple of occasions but Bromage stood tall.

Bridges only created two real chances throughout the game and these came towards the end. Gayler seeing a volley go just wide and O’Neill spotting Glover off his line and sending a shot from halfway just inches over the bar.

All in all, no one can complain about the result and Whitehawk came away worthy winners.

Bridges MOM: Callum Donaghey